Here are highlights in history for Dec. 18, gleaned from the files of the Albert Lea Tribune:

1986 — Students at Southwest Junior High School collected 8,133 items during a food drive to help the Salvation Army fill Christmas baskets.

1976 — According to Tribune columnist Maude Koevenig, an old Norwegian custom was to put out a sheaf of grain the day before Christmas as food for the birds.

1946 — Several local business firms and many citizens expressed their support for Christmas music being played on public address system at Stephenson Music Co.